Package handler

ABSTRACT

A package handler is disclosed, by which productivity and work efficiency can be enhanced in a manner of automatically performing a work of unloading a cut package from a cutting jig ( 5 ) and a work of loading a new uncut package on the cutting jig. The present invention includes a body ( 1 ), an on-loader part ( 10 ) provided to one side of the body ( 1 ) to have a jig ( 5 ) provided with a plurality of slots ( 5   a ) accommodating a plurality of cut packages therein, a cut tray part ( 20 ) in which an empty tray to accommodate a package unloaded from the jig ( 5 ) is loaded, an uncut tray part ( 30 ) in which a tray accommodating the package to be inserted in the jig ( 5 ) is loaded, and a package loading/unloading part unloading the cut package from jig ( 5 ) of the on-loader part ( 10 ), the package loading/unloading part loading the uncut package in the uncut tray part ( 30 ) in the jig ( 5 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a handler for handling a package, and more particularly, to a package handler. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for accommodating a cut package in a tray by automatically separating the package from a cutting jig and also suitable for loading an uncut package to be cut on the cutting jig automatically.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, various semiconductor packages are used. For instance, a package such as an SD card and the like is used for a mobile phone, a digital camera, or the like. And, the package needs to be processed into a specific shape. For this, a strip provided with a plurality of packages is cut into a plurality of individual packages. Each of the packages is then cut to have a prescribed shape. In particular, since a package such as an SD card tends to have a non-linear portion in a prescribed shape, it is necessary to precisely cut the non-linear portion.

For this, in a related art, a package such as an SD card is loaded on a separate cutting jig to be fixed thereto. The package is then cut to have a specific shape using such a cutting machine as a water jet, a blade, and the like.

The package having been cut by the cutting jig is separated from the cutting jig, loaded in a tray, undergoes a separate post-processing, and then shipped.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, in the related art, the cut package is manually unloaded from the cutting jig and a new package to be cut is then manually loaded on the cutting jig. These manual unloading and loading works take considerable time and manpower to reduce productivity.

Technical Solution

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a package handler that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. An object of the present invention is to provide a package handler, by which productivity and work efficiency can be enhanced in a manner of automatically performing a work of unloading a cut package from a cutting jig and a work of loading a new uncut package on the cutting jig.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a package handler according to the present invention includes a body, an on-loader part provided to one side of the body to have a jig provided with a plurality of slots accommodating a plurality of cut packages therein, a cut tray part in which an empty tray to accommodate a package unloaded from the jig is loaded, an uncut tray part in which a tray accommodating the package to be inserted in the jig is loaded, and a package loading/unloading part unloading the cut package from the jig of the on-loader part, the package loading/unloading part loading the uncut package in the uncut tray part in the jig.

Preferably, the package loading/unloading part includes a mount block having at least one mount portion on which the package unloaded from the jig or transferred from the uncut tray part is mounted, a lift unit lifting the jig up and down to align the packages in the jig with the at least one mount portion of the mount block, and a push unit moving the package from the jig to the mount block, the push unit moving the package on the mount block.

More preferably, the at least one or more mount portions of the mount block are arranged to be evenly spaced apart from each other.

In this case, the mount block is provided on a mount block support provided to the body to be horizontally movable by a linear motion system.

And, the mount block includes a first mount block on which the package unloaded from the jig is mounted and a second mount block on which the package transferred from the uncut tray part is mounted.

In particular, the first and second mount blocks are provided movable individually. And, the jig is provided between the first and second mount blocks. Moreover, the perforated hole is further provided to be downward spaced apart from the mount portion of the first mount block and wherein the perforated hole is provided to enable the package to pass through.

More preferably, the lift unit includes a mount block vertically provided to the body, a holder fixing the jig thereto, and a driving means for lifting the holder by a prescribed distance.

In this case, the holder is provided with a plurality of slots corresponding to the slots of the jig, respectively. And, a width of the slot of the holder is smaller than that of the slot of the jig.

More preferably, the push unit includes a first push unit provided to one side of the jig to push the package loaded in the slot of the jig to the mount portion of the mount block and a second push unit provided to an opposite side of the first push unit centering on the jig to push the package on the mount block into the slot of the jig.

In this case, the first push unit includes a first push bar inserted into the slot of the jig to push the package out of the slot and a push bar driving means for enabling the first push bar to reciprocate horizontally.

And, the second push unit includes a second push bar pushing the package on the mount portion by reciprocating on one side of the mount block in a direction of the jig and a push bar driving means for enabling the second push bar to horizontally reciprocate.

Meanwhile, the push unit includes a lower push bar provided to one side of the first mount block to push the package within the slot of the jig toward the second mount block via the perforated hole of the first mount block, an upper push bar configured to diverge over the lower push bar, the upper push bar pushing the package mounted on the mount portion of the first mount block into the slot of the jig, and a push bar driving means for moving both of the lower and upper push bars simultaneously.

Alternately, the lit unit includes a mount block vertically provided to the body, a holder provided with a plot corresponding to the slot of the jig, the holder fixing the jig thereto, and a driving means for lifting the holder by a prescribed distance.

Preferably, the package handler further includes a package carrier provided over the body to carry the package by moving to the package loading/unloading part, the cut tray part, and the uncut tray part.

More preferably, the package carrier includes a fixed frame provided to a topside of the body, a movable frame provided movable along the fixed frame, a head block provided movable up and down along the movable frame, and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.

More preferably, the package carrier includes a first package carrier and a second package carrier transferring the package by moving independently.

In this case, the first package carrier includes a fixed frame fixed to the body, a first movable frame provided movable along the fixed frame, a first head block provided movable along the first movable frame, the first head block provided movable up and down by a prescribed distance, and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the first head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.

More preferably, the second package carrier includes a fixed frame fixed to the body, a second movable frame provided movable along the fixed frame, a second head block provided movable along the second movable frame, the second head block provided movable up and down by a prescribed distance, and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the second head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.

More preferably, the package carrier includes a short frame provided to the topside of the body to pass through or be adjacent to an upper part of the package loading/unloading part, a head block provided movable along the short frame, the head block provided movable up and down by a prescribed distance, and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.

In this case, the package handler further includes a first tray transfer transferring the uncut tray part by a prescribed distance in a direction orthogonal to the short frame and a second tray transfer transferring the cut tray part by a prescribed distance in the direction orthogonal to the short frame. The head block is configured to have a L shape, the sucking nozzle is provided to an end portion of the head block, and the sucking nozzle is projected out of the short frame if the head block is moved to one end portion of the short frame.

Preferably, the package handler further includes a cleansing part cleansing the cut package transferred from the package loading/unloading part and a drying part drying the cleansed package.

In another aspect of the present invention, a package handler includes a body, an on-loader part provided to one side of the body to have a jig provided with a plurality of slots accommodating a plurality of cut packages therein, a cut tray part in which a tray to accommodate a package unloaded from the jig is loaded, an uncut tray part in which a tray accommodating the package to be inserted in the jig is loaded, and a mount block having at least one mount portion provided on a topside to mount the package unloaded from the jig or transferred from the uncut tray part on the at least one mount portion, a lift unit moving the jig up and down to align the packages in the jig with the at least one mount portion of the mount block, a first push unit including a first push bar inserted into the slot of the jig to push out the package toward the mount block and a first push bar driving means for enabling the first push bar to reciprocate, a second push unit including a second push bar inserting the package on the mount portion of the mount block into the slot of the jig and a second push bar driving means for enabling the second push bar to reciprocate, and at least one package carrier provided to a topside of the body to be movable in X-, Y- and Z-directions, the at least one package carrier provided with at least one sucking nozzle holding the package by vacuum suction, the at least one package carrier moving to the mount block, the cut tray part, or the uncut tray part to carry the package.

Preferably, the at least one or more mount portions of the mount block are arranged to be evenly spaced apart from each other.

Preferably, the mount block is provided on a mount block support provided to the body to be horizontally movable by a linear motion system.

Preferably, the package handler further includes a cleansing part cleansing the cut package transferred from the package loading/unloading part and a drying part drying the cleansed package.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.

First of all, the present invention automatically carries out an operation of separating a cut package from a cutting jig, accommodating the package in a tray, and loading an uncut package in the cutting jig, thereby considerably reducing a time taken to load/unload a package in/from the cutting jig.

Secondly, the present invention can enhance work efficiency and productivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lateral diagram of the package handler shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 to 11 are perspective diagrams of a package loading/unloading part of a handler to explain one example of a package loading/unloading operation carried out by the package handler shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are perspective diagrams of a package loading/unloading part of a handler to explain another example of a package loading/unloading operation carried out by the package handler shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional diagram of a package loading/unloading part of the handler shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional diagram of a cutting jig and a handler jig applied to a package handler according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

First of all, a package handler according to a first embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 as follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a lateral diagram of the package handler shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3 to 11 are perspective diagrams of a package loading/unloading part of a handler to explain one example of a package loading/unloading operation carried out by the package handler shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are perspective diagrams of a package loading/unloading part of a handler to explain another example of a package loading/unloading operation carried out by the package handler shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a package handler according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a body 1, an on-loader part 10 provided to one side of the body 1, an uncut tray part 30 accommodating uncut packages (UP) to be cut (hereinafter called uncut packages), a cut tray part 20 on which an empty tray is put to accommodate cut packages (CP), and a package carrier 40 provided to an upper side of the body 1 to be movable in X-Y-Z directions and to carry the package to the on-loader part 10, the uncut tray part 20, or the cut tray part 30.

A cutting jig 5 is provided to the on-loader part 10. In cutting a package to be cut, the cutting jig 5 supports the package to be fixed to a prescribed position. So, the package can be cut without moving.

The cutting jig 5 is provided with a plurality of slots 5 a. Each of a plurality of the slots 5 a is a space to fixedly accommodate the package therein and has a perforated configuration shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, a plurality of the slots 5 a can be configured to have a regular arrangement structure to be evenly spaced apart from each other. In this case, the regular arrangement structure is provided to consider work facilitation of packages loaded in a plurality of the slots 5 of the cutting jig 5.

In particular, a gap between the respective slots 5 a provided to the cutting jig 5 is called a pitch on a Z-axis. Namely, a distance between two slots vertically adjacent to each other corresponds to one pitch on the Z-axis.

The on-loader part 10 is provided with a lift unit 50 enabling the cutting jig 5 to move up and down, a mount block 60 having a plurality of mount portions 61 concavely formed on its topside to mount cut packages CP and uncut packages UP thereon, respectively, a first push unit 71 transferring the cut package CP cut by the cutting jig 5 to the mount block 60, and a second push unit 72 transferring the uncut package UP on the mount block 60 to the corresponding slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

The lift unit 50 can include any means for enabling the cutting jig 5 to move vertically. For instance, the lift unit 50 can have the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

In particular, the lift unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 includes a mount block 51 vertically provided to the body 1, a holder 52 supporting the cutting jig 5 to be fixed thereto, a guide member (not shown in the drawing) extending from the mount block 51 in a vertical direction to guide a vertical movement of the holder 52, and a driving device lifting the holder 52 step by step with a prescribed distance.

Optionally, the driving device (not shown in the drawing) can include a motor and a ball screw. Alternatively, the driving device includes a plurality of pulleys, a belt, and a motor rotating the belt and one of the pulleys. Alternatively, the driving device includes a linear motion system such as a linear motor system.

A plurality of correspondent slots 52 a respectively corresponding to a plurality of the former slots 5 a of the cutting jig 5 are provided to the holder 52 to be evenly aligned in a vertical direction.

Preferably, each of the latter slots 52 a of the holder 52 has a width smaller than that of the corresponding former slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5. More preferably, each of the latter slots 52 a of the holder 52 has a width smaller than a size of the package P and greater than a size of a first push bar 71 a of the first push unit 71.

Hence, when the uncut package UP is inserted in the corresponding slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 by the second push unit 72, the uncut package UP is caught on an edge of the slot 52 a of the holder 52 to be precisely located within the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 without being inserted into the slot 52 a of the holder 52.

The holder 52 is able to fix the cutting jig 5 by vacuum suction or a separate fixing device such as a clamp, a bracket moving by an air pressure cylinder, and the like.

The mount block 60 is configured to move in a direction of a Y-axis to a prescribed distance on a mount block support 65 provided to extend from the body 1. The mount block 60 (not shown in detail in the drawings) configured to move along a topside of the mount block support 65 can employ a linear motion system similar to the driving device for moving the holder 52 of the lift unit 52.

The prescribed distance to which the mount block moves can be configured with reference to the distance between the mount portions 61 provided on the mount block 60. For instance, the mount block 60 is able to move to the distance (hereinafter called one pitch on the Y-axis) between two mount portions neighboring to each other or to two pitches on the Y-axis in a manner of jumping over one mount portion to a next mount portion.

The first push unit 71 is provided next to one side of the holder 52 of the lift unit 50. The first push unit 71 includes a first push bar 71 a penetrating the slot 52 a of the holder 52 and the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 to push out the cut package CP within the cutting jig 5 and a push bar driving device enabling the first push bar 71 a to horizontally reciprocate with a prescribed stroke.

In this case, the push bar driving device can include any configuration enabling the first push bar 71 a to move straight. For instance, the push bar driving device can include an air pressure cylinder or one of other linear motion systems.

The second push unit 72 is provided next to one side of the mount block 60. And, the second push unit 72 includes a second push bar 72 a pushing out the uncut package UP on the mount block 60 into the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 and a push bar driving device enabling the second push bar 72 a to horizontally reciprocate with a prescribed stroke.

Like the push bar driving device of the first push unit 71, the push bar device of the second push unit 72 can include an air pressure cylinder or one of other linear motion systems.

The package carrier 40 includes a fixed frame 41 configured to extend from the body in a direction of an X-axis, a movable frame 42 movably provided to the fixed frame 41 in a direction of the X-axis, a head block 43 movably provided to the movable frame 41 in a direction of the Y-axis and a direction of the Z-axis, and a plurality of sucking nozzles 44 evenly aligned on the head block 43 to hold the packages CP and UP by vacuum suction.

A plurality of the sucking nozzles 44 are aligned with the same pitch of the mount portions 61 of the mount block 60. Preferably, a plurality of the sucking nozzles 44 are provided to correspond to a plurality of the mount portions 61, respectively. More preferably, a number of a plurality of the sucking nozzles 44 can be smaller than that of a plurality of the mount portions 61 by at least one.

An operation of the above-configured package handler according to one embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 13 as follows. For convenience of the understanding of the following description, a cut package CP is represented by white, whereas an uncut package UP is represented as black. Color of the cut package CP is substantially identical to that of the uncut package UP. Yet, the cut and uncut packages CP and UP differ from each other in outline only.

First of all, a worker (or a separate robot) puts at least one cutting jig 5 into the on-loader part 10 and then fixes the at least one cutting jig 5 to the holder 52 of the lift unit 50. Subsequently, the lift unit 50 moves the holder 52 upward or downward by a prescribed distance to align the first slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 with the corresponding the mount portion 61 of the mount block 60.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 in sequence, the package carrier 40 carries the uncut packages UP to the mount block 60 in a manner that the sucking nozzles 44 corresponding to the even numbers (in case of numbering from a right side in the drawing) hold the uncut packages UP in the uncut tray part 20. The package carrier 40 descends down to mount the uncut packages UP on the mount portions 61 corresponding to the even numbers (in case of numbering from a right side in the drawing), respectively. The package carrier 40 then ascends.

After the uncut packages UP have been mounted on the mount block 60, the package carrier 40 moves to another uncut tray part 20 to hold new uncut packages UP by vacuum suction.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first push bar 71 a of the first push unit 71 penetrates the slot 52 a of the holder 52 (cf. FIG. 2) and the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 to move the cut package CP in the cutting jig 5 to the first empty mount portion 61 of the mount block 60.

Referring to FIG. 7, the mount block 60 then moves right by one pitch on the Y-axis along the mount block support 65 to align the second mount portion 61 with the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, the second push bar 72 a of the second push unit 72 inserts the uncut package UP on the second mount portion 61 into the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

The cutting jig 5 then ascends by one pitch on the Z-axis. Thereafter, the above-explained operation is repeated in the same way. The moving patterns of the cutting jig 5 and the mount block 60 are explained as follows.

First of all, when the mount block 60 moves by two pitches on the Y-axis, the cutting jig 5 ascends by one pitch on the Z-axis. If so, the cut package CP in the cutting jig 5 is sequentially pulled out to the mount portions 61 of the mount block and the uncut package UP is inserted into the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

Referring to FIG. 9, if the uncut packages UP on the mount block 60 are completely inserted in the cutting jig 5 and if the cut packages CP are entirely pulled out to the mount block 60, the mount block 60 moves by one pitch on the Y-axis to have the last empty mount portion 61 aligned with the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5. In this case, the sucking nozzles 44 of the package carrier 40 stand by in a manner of holding new uncut packages UP by vacuum suction over the mount block 60 and then descends to mount the uncut packages UP, as shown in FIG. 10, on the empty mount portions 61 of the mount block 60.

Referring to FIG. 11, the sucking nozzles 44 holds the cut package CP on the mount block 60 by vacuum suction and then carries the corresponding package to an empty tray of the cut tray part 30 (cf. FIG. 1). So, the cut packages CP are sequentially loaded in the empty tray.

In particular, the cut package CP in the cutting jig 5 is withdrawn to the last mount portion of the mount block 60 by the first push bar 71 a. The mount block 60 then moves by one pitch on the Y-axis in a direction opposite to the former direction to load/unload the packages (UP and CP).

In more particular, when the mount block 60 moves by two pitches on the Y-axis, the cutting jig 5 descends by one pitch on the Z-axis. If so, the cut package CP in the cutting jig 5 is withdrawn to the mount portion 61 of the mount block 60 one by one and the uncut package UP is loaded in the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

If the entire cut packages CP in the slots 5 a of the cutting jig 5 are separated and if new uncut packages UP are entirely loaded in the slots 5 a of the cutting jig 5, the jig 5 is separated from the holder 52 and is then carried for a post process. The cutting jig 5 having the slots 5 a loaded with the cut packages CP is attached to the holder 52 to execute the aforesaid package loading and unloading works.

Although the process is initiated by calculating a sequence from a right end of the mount portions 61 of the mount block 60, it can be also initiated by calculating a sequence from a left end.

The operational example of the package handler is explained on the assumption that the loading and unloading of the packages including the cut and uncut packages CP and UP alternately mounted on the mount block 60.

And, the method of loading/unloading the packages in/from the cutting jig 5 can be executed in the following manner.

Referring to FIG. 12, a method of unloading the cut packages CP from the cutting jig 5 over the mount portions 61 of the mount block 60 can be explained in the following manner.

First of all, if the mount block 60 moves left on the drawing by one pitch on the Y-axis, the jig 5 ascends by one pitch on the Z-axis to unload the cut packages CP from the cutting jig 5 onto the mount portions of the mount block 60. In the present embodiment, the cut packages CP, as shown in FIG. 12, are withdrawn to four mount portions 61.

The sucking nozzles 44 of the package carrier 40, as shown in FIG. 13, mount the uncut packages UP on the other mount portions 61 (first to fourth from a right side on the drawing) of the mount block 60 and simultaneously hold the cut packages CP mounted on the mount portions 61 to carry the held cut packages CP to the cut tray part 30 (cf. FIG. 1).

In this case, the uncut packages UP mounted on the mount portions 61 of the mount block 60 are inserted one by one into the cutting jig 5 by the second push bar 72 a.

In doing so, while the cutting jig 5 does not move on the Z-axis, the mount block 60 moves left by one pitch on the Y-axis. If so, the mount portion 61 having the uncut package UP mounted thereon is aligned with the empty slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

As the operation is carried out in a direction opposite to that explained in FIG. 12, the uncut package UP is loaded in the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5. Namely, if the mount block 60 moves left by one pitch on the Y-axis, the cutting jig 5 descends by one pitch on the Z-axis. So, the uncut packages UP can be completely loaded in the slots 5 a by the second push bar 72 a.

Once the uncut packages UP on the mount block 60 are loaded in the cutting jig 5, the mount block 60 ascends by a plurality of pitches (five pitches on the Z-axis in the present embodiment) on the Z-axis to prepare for unloading the next cut packages CP.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show a package handler according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a second embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional diagram of a package loading/unloading part of the handler shown in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, a package handler according to a second embodiment of the present invention enables both an operation of unloading a cut package CP from a cutting jig 5 and an operation of loading an uncut package UP in the cutting jig 5 to be simultaneously carried out using one push unit 270.

Basic configurations of the package handler according to the second embodiment of the present invention are identical to those of the former package handler according to the first embodiment of the present invention except the on-loader part 10 (cf. FIG. 1). In particular, the package handler according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the same uncut tray part 20, cut tray part 30 and package carrier 40 of the package handler according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

An on-loader part 10 of the package handler according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of mount block supports 263 and 267 provided parallel with each other, a first mount block 261 on the mount block support 263 to have a plurality of mount portions 262 on its topside and reciprocate horizontally in a direction of a Y-axis, and a second mount block 265 on the mount block support 267 to have a plurality of mount portions 266 on its topside and reciprocate horizontally in the direction of the Y-axis.

Uncut packages UP carried from the uncut tray part 20 are mounted on the first mount block 261, while cut packages CP unloaded from the cutting jig 5 are mounted on the second mount block 265.

And, the cutting jig 5 is provided between the first and second mount blocks 261 and 265 to be movable up and down by the lift unit 250. Of course, the cutting jig 5 is supported by the holder 252. And, the holder 252 is provided with slots 252 a respectively corresponding to the slots 5 a of the cutting jig 5.

Meanwhile, a size of the slot 252 a of the holder 252 shown in FIG. 14 is equal to that of the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5. Hence, when the cutting jig 5 is provided between the first and second mount blocks 261 and 165, the package loaded in the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 can be moved to the mount portion 262 of the first mount block 261 or the mount portion 266 of the second mount block 265.

In the first mount block 261 shown in FIG. 15, the mount portion 262 is provided to the topside of the first mount block 261 and a perforated hole 264 is provided under the mount portion 262 to be spaced apart from the mount portion 262. The perforated hole 264 enable a package to be loaded/unloaded therein/therefrom like the mount portion 262.

And, the mount portion 262 is perforated as well to enable a package mounted thereon to be moved by a push bar 271 of a push unit 270 that is explained in the following description.

A push unit 270 is provided next to one side of the first mount block 261 to simultaneously unload a cut package CP from the cutting jig 5 and load an uncut package UP therein. And, the push unit 270 includes a push bar 271 configured to have upper and lower diverging legs.

A length of an upper push bar 271 a of the push bar 271 is smaller than that of a lower push bar 271 b of the push bar 271. Preferably, the length of the upper push bar 271 a is set in a manner that an end of the upper push bar 271 a reaches an end portion of the slot 252 a of the holder 252 of the lift unit 250 when the push bar 271 moves toward the first and second mount blocks 261 and 265.

And, the lower push bar 271 b is configured to penetrate the perforated hole 264 and then reach the second mount block 265 via the first mount block 261.

After the package carrier 40 has mounted the uncut packages UP on the first mount block 261, the push bar 271 of the push unit 270 moves. When the push bar 271 of the push unit 270 moves, the upper push bar 271 a loads the uncut package UP on the first mount block 261 in the corresponding slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 and the lower push bar 271 b unloads the cut package CP from the corresponding slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 to the second mount block 265, simultaneously.

FIG. 16 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Basic configurations of the package handler according to the third embodiment of the present invention are identical to those of the former package handler according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Yet, the package handler according to the third embodiment of the present invention further includes a cleansing part 380 cleansing a cut package CP separated from a cutting jig 5 and a drying part 390 drying the cleansed package CP before the separated cut package is carried to a cut tray unit 30.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, after the package carrier 40 has held the cut packages CP by vacuum suction over the mount block 60, the packages CP are carried to the cleansing part 380. After the packages CP have been cleansed, they are dried. The dried packages are then carried to the cut tray unit 30 to be accommodated therein.

Meanwhile, if the cut packages CP are carried to the cleansing part 380, the drying part 390, and the cut tray part 30 by one package carrier 40 of the third embodiment of the present invention, a moving path of the package carrier 40 is considerably long to take a considerable time. So, after the operation of loading and unloading the new packages on the mount block 60 has been performed, the package carrier 40 having new uncut packages may arrive over the mount block 60. Hence, it is possible that productivity may decrease as much as the corresponding time difference.

To prevent the work speed reduction due to the aforesaid time difference between the loading and the unloading, a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17, is carried out in a manner of performing an operation of carrying cut packages CP to a cleansing part 480, a drying part 490, and a cut tray part 30 and an operation of supplying uncut packages UP to a mount block 261 separately using a pair of package carriers 441 and 445 which are independently driven.

FIG. 17 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, a package handler according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a first mount block 261, a second mount block 265, a lift unit 250, a push unit 250, an uncut tray part 20, a cut tray part 30 aligned to oppose the uncut tray part 20 centering on the first and second mount blocks 261 and 265, a first package carrier 441, a second package carrier 445, a cleansing part 480, and a drying part 490.

Configurations of the first mount block 261, the second mount block 265, the lift unit 250, and the push unit 250 are identical to those of the second embodiment of the present invention, of which details are omitted in the following description.

The first package carrier 441 includes a first movable frame 442 movably provided to a fixed frame 440, which extends in a direction of an X-axis of a body 1, in a direction of the X-axis, a first head block 443 provided movable in a direction of a Y-axis to the first movable frame 442 to be movable up and down to a prescribed distance, and a plurality of sucking nozzles 444 provided to a lower end of the first head block 443 to hold packages UP by vacuum suction.

And, the second package carrier 445 includes a second movable frame 446 provided to the fixed frame 440 to be independently movable in a direction of the X-axis, a second head block 447 provided movable in a direction of the Y-axis to the second movable frame 446 to be movable up and down to a prescribed distance, and a plurality of sucking nozzles 448 provided to a lower end of the second head block 447 to hold packages CP by vacuum suction.

In particular, in the package handler according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the first package carrier 441 holds the uncut packages UP in the uncut tray part 20 by vacuum suction and then carries then over the first mount block 261. The second package carrier 445 holds the cut packages CP on the second mount block 265 by vacuum suction, carries them to the cleansing part 480 and the drying unit 490 sequentially, and then loading them in empty spaces of the cut tray part 30. In doing so, the first and second package carriers 441 and 445 are independently operated.

A package handler according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 18 as follows.

FIG. 18 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, a package handler according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a lift unit 50 lifting a cutting jig 5 up and down, a first push unit 71, a second push unit 72, a mount block 560, an uncut tray part 20, a cut tray part 30, and a package carrier 540. Configurations of the lift unit 50, the first push unit 71, and the second push unit 72 are similar to those of the lift unit 50, the first push unit 71 and the second push unit 72 of the package handler according to the first embodiment of the present invention, of which details are omitted in the following description.

The mount block 560 is fixed to the body 1 and includes a single mount portion 561 only.

The uncut tray part 20 is moved by one pitch in a direction of an X-axis by a first tray transfer 525 provided to the body 1 in the X-axis direction. And, the cut tray part 30 is moved by one pitch in a direction of an X-axis by a second tray transfer 535 provided to the body 1 in the X-axis direction.

Each of the first and second tray transfers 525 and 535 can include a general linear motion system including a pair of pulleys, a belt, and a motor, a linear motor, a motor and a ball screw, or the like for example.

In the firth embodiment of the present invention, the package carrier 540 is configured to move in directions of Y- and Z-axes only. In particular, the package carrier 540 includes a short frame 541 provided on the body 1 to extend in the Y-axis direction, a head block 542 provided movable in the Y-axis direction along the short frame 541, and a pair of sucking nozzles 543 provided to the head block 542 to hold a package by vacuum suction. The short frame 541 is provided to penetrate an upper part of the mount block 560.

In this case, a pair of the sucking nozzles 543 are provided only. So, since the mount block 560 includes the single mount portion only 561, the sucking nozzle 543 is configured to pick up a package mounted on the mount portion 561 and the other sucking nozzle 543 is configured to pick up a package mounted on the uncut tray part 30 or the cut tray part 20. This is to minimize the time taken for the head block 542 to carry the package along the short frame 541. Alternatively, the package carrier 540 can be provided with one sucking nozzle 543 only.

Hence, in the package handler according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, packages are carried to the uncut tray part 20, the mount block 60, and the cut tray part 30 as the head block 540 and the sucking nozzle 543 of the package carrier 540 are repeatedly moved in the Y-axis direction while the mount block 560 is fixed.

Meanwhile, the former package handler according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is modified into a package handler according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, a package handler according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention has the almost same configuration of the former handler according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Yet, in the package handler according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of mount portions 661 are provided to a mount block 660. And, the mount block 660 is provided movable on a mount block support 665 by a unit of a prescribed distance. Optionally, like the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the number of sucking nozzles 543 is set greater than the number of the mount portions 551 to enable a fast package carrying process.

Meanwhile, the former package handler according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is modified into a package handler according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic layout of a package handler according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, a package handler according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention has the almost same configuration of the former handler according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Yet, in the package handler according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a head block of a package carrier 740 is configured to have an L shape. And, a plurality of sucking nozzles 743 are provided to an end portion of the head block 742.

In the above-configured package carrier 740, if the head block is moved to one side end of a short frame 741, the sucking nozzles 743 attached to the head block 742 are projected from the short frame 741 to move over a mount block 660. So, it is able to minimize a moving distance of the mount block 660.

Meanwhile, in the aforesaid package handlers according to the embodiments of the present invention, the cutting jig 5 for cutting the packages CP and UP is directly inputted to the handler and fixed to the holder 53 of the lift unit 50.

Alternatively, the cut packages in the cutting jig 5 are transferred to be loaded on a separate handler jig instead of fixing the cutting jig 5 to the holder 52 of the lift unit 50 directly, the handler jig is fixed to the holder 52 of the lift unit 50 of the handler, the package loading and unloading operation is performed, the uncut package loaded in the handler jig is then transferred to be loaded on the cutting jig to continue the cutting work.

FIG. 21 shows a package loading example of transferring cut packages CP in a cutting jig 5 to a handler jig J and transferring uncut packages UP in the handler jig J to the cutting jig 5.

Referring to FIG. 21, a plurality of slots 5 a of a cutting jig 5 are provided adjacent to a plurality of slots Ja of a handler jig J to oppose each other by one-to-one correspondence. A pusher P is inserted in the corresponding slots 5 a or Ja from one side of the cutting or handler jig 5 or J to push the cut packages CP in the cutting jig 5 into the handler jig J or the uncut packages UP in the handler jig J into the cutting jig 5.

A width t2 of the slot Ja of the handler jig J is formed slightly greater than a width t1 of the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5. Preferably, an entrance of the slot Ja of the handler jig J is configured to have a bottleneck shape to prevent a package CP loaded in the slot Ja from escaping from the slot Ja easily.

In using the above-configured handler jig J, in case that the width of the slot 5 a of the cutting jig 5 is configured to almost coincide with that of a package, it is able to prevent the package from having difficulty in escaping from or entering the slot 5 having a narrow width.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has an industrial applicability.

First, the package handler automatically carries out an operation of separating a cut package from a cutting jig, accommodating the package in a tray, and loading an uncut package in the cutting jig, which considerably reduces a time taken to load/unload a package in/from the cutting jig.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the package handler can enhance work efficiency and productivity. 

1. A package handler comprising: a body; an on-loader part provided to one side of the body to have a jig provided with a plurality of slots accommodating a plurality of cut packages therein; a cut tray part in which an empty tray to accommodate a package unloaded from the jig is loaded; an uncut tray part in which a tray accommodating the package to be inserted in the jig is loaded; and a package loading/unloading part unloading the cut package from the jig of the on-loader part, the package loading/unloading part loading the uncut package in the uncut tray part in the jig.
 2. The package handler of claim 1, the package loading/unloading part comprising: a mount block having at least one mount portion on which the package unloaded from the jig or transferred from the uncut tray part is mounted; a lift unit lifting the jig up and down to align the packages in the jig with the at least one mount portion of the mount block; and a push unit moving the package from the jig to the mount block, the push unit moving the package on the mount block.
 3. The package handler of claim 2, wherein the at least one or more mount portions of the mount block are arranged to be evenly spaced apart from each other.
 4. The package handler of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the mount block is provided on a mount block support provided to the body to be horizontally movable by a linear motion system.
 5. The package handler of claim 2 or claim 3, the mount block comprising: a first mount block on which the package unloaded from the jig is mounted; and a second mount block on which the package transferred from the uncut tray part is mounted.
 6. The package handler of claim 5, wherein the first and second mount blocks are provided movable individually.
 7. The package handler of claim 5, wherein the jig is provided between the first and second mount blocks.
 8. The package handler of claim 7, wherein the perforated hole is further provided to be downward spaced apart from the mount portion of the first mount block and wherein the perforated hole is provided to enable the package to pass through.
 9. The package handler of claim 2, the lift unit comprising: a mount block vertically provided to the body; a holder fixing the jig thereto; and a driving means for lifting the holder by a prescribed distance.
 10. The package handler of claim 9, wherein the holder is provided with a plurality of slots corresponding to the slots of the jig, respectively.
 11. The package handler of claim 10, wherein a width of the slot of the holder is smaller than that of the slot of the jig.
 12. The package handler of claim 2, the push unit comprising: a first push unit provided to one side of the jig to push the package loaded in the slot of the jig to the mount portion of the mount block; and a second push unit provided to an opposite side of the first push unit centering on the jig to push the package on the mount block into the slot of the jig.
 13. The package handler of claim 12, the first push unit comprising: a first push bar inserted into the slot of the jig to push the package out of the slot; and a push bar driving means for enabling the first push bar to reciprocate horizontally.
 14. The package handler of claim 12, the second push unit comprising: a second push bar pushing the package on the mount portion by reciprocating on one side of the mount block in a direction of the jig; and a push bar driving means for enabling the second push bar to horizontally reciprocate.
 15. The package handler of claim 8, the push unit comprising: a lower push bar provided to one side of the first mount block to push the package within the slot of the jig toward the second mount block via the perforated hole of the first mount block; an upper push bar configured to diverge over the lower push bar, the upper push bar pushing the package mounted on the mount portion of the first mount block into the slot of the jig; and a push bar driving means for moving both of the lower and upper push bars simultaneously.
 16. The package handler of claim 14, the lit unit comprising: a mount block vertically provided to the body; a holder provided with a plot corresponding to the slot of the jig, the holder fixing the jig thereto; and a driving means for lifting the holder by a prescribed distance.
 17. The package handler of claim 1, further comprising a package carrier provided over the body to carry the package by moving to the package loading/unloading part, the cut tray part, and the uncut tray part.
 18. The package handler of claim 17, the package carrier comprising: a fixed frame provided to a topside of the body; a movable frame provided movable along the fixed frame; a head block provided movable up and down along the movable frame; and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.
 19. The package handler of claim 17, the package carrier comprises a first package carrier and a second package carrier transferring the package by moving independently.
 20. The package handler of claim 19, the first package carrier comprising: a fixed frame fixed to the body; a first movable frame provided movable along the fixed frame; a first head block provided movable along the first movable frame, the first head block provided movable up and down by a prescribed distance; and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the first head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.
 21. The package handler of claim 19, the second package carrier comprising: a fixed frame fixed to the body; a second movable frame provided movable along the fixed frame; a second head block provided movable along the second movable frame, the second head block provided movable up and down by a prescribed distance; and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the second head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.
 22. The package handler of claim 17, the package carrier comprising: a short frame provided to the topside of the body to pass through or be adjacent to an upper part of the package loading/unloading part; a head block provided movable along the short frame, the head block provided movable up and down by a prescribed distance; and at least one sucking nozzle provided to the head block to hold the package by vacuum suction.
 23. The package handler of claim 22, further comprising: a first tray transfer transferring the uncut tray part by a prescribed distance in a direction orthogonal to the short frame; and a second tray transfer transferring the cut tray part by a prescribed distance in the direction orthogonal to the short frame.
 24. The package handler of claim 22, wherein the head block is configured to have a L shape, wherein the sucking nozzle is provided to an end portion of the head block, and wherein the sucking nozzle is projected out of the short frame if the head block is moved to one end portion of the short frame.
 25. The package handler of claim 1, further comprising: a cleansing part cleansing the cut package transferred from the package loading/unloading part; and a drying part drying the cleansed package.
 26. A package handler comprising: a body; an on-loader part provided to one side of the body to have a jig provided with a plurality of slots accommodating a plurality of cut packages therein; a cut tray part in which a tray to accommodate a package unloaded from the jig is loaded; an uncut tray part in which a tray accommodating the package to be inserted in the jig is loaded; and a mount block having at least one mount portion provided on a topside to mount the package unloaded from the jig or transferred from the uncut tray part on the at least one mount portion; a lift unit moving the jig up and down to align the packages in the jig with the at least one mount portion of the mount block; a first push unit comprising: a first push bar inserted into the slot of the jig to push out the package toward the mount block; and a first push bar driving means for enabling the first push bar to reciprocate; a second push unit comprising: a second push bar inserting the package on the mount portion of the mount block into the slot of the jig; and a second push bar driving means for enabling the second push bar to reciprocate; and at least one package carrier provided to a topside of the body to be movable in X-, Y- and Z-directions, the at least one package carrier provided with at least one sucking nozzle holding the package by vacuum suction, the at least one package carrier moving to the mount block, the cut tray part, or the uncut tray part to carry the package.
 27. The package handler of claim 26, wherein the at least one or more mount portions of the mount block are arranged to be evenly spaced apart from each other.
 28. The package handler of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the mount block is provided on a mount block support provided to the body to be horizontally movable by a linear motion system.
 29. The package handler of claim 26, further comprising: a cleansing part cleansing the cut package transferred from the package loading/unloading part; and a drying part drying the cleansed package. 